fakahatchee strand preserve state park & boardwalk

We were planning on visiting another park which was closed, so we drove on to this one late afternoon and did the Board walk - wow what a great result. Other (more knowledgable) vistors were around to point things out. Got good views of aligators including a baby, a big horned owl, nesting bald eagles, wood storks, herons, egrets woodpeckers and a host of other birds as well as fantastic views of the rare cyprus swamp all in under 2 hours. We then drove further along the highway to see fantastic sunset views, more eagles and a host of manatees right by the highway just short of the National Park Entrance.Very easy access for all

Fakahatchee tram and swamp walk was a thrill!Our guide Patrick with his british sense of humor brightened our day despite frigid temperatures.Thank you for the VIP tour and the homemade apple cider,Patrick!Although I am a parttime resident of Naples since 2003 with some experience in the Everglades he enabled me to see the flora&fauna with different eyes now.I was in company of Jane M and her husband thus I can strongly endorse her review.Just read it and book one of the many tours offered by the friends of Fakahatchee!

My husband and a friend of ours pre booked a tour guided by a volunteer with Friendsoffakahatchee.org. Our guide, Patrick H. was extremely knowledgeable and well spoken. He imparted a wealth of information in a friendly and humorous manner. It was a very chilly day and we had a total of 7 guests on our trip into the Strand. It was easy to hear our guide as we road along the tram road and we made several stops to look more closely at plants and birds along the way. We spotted white tail deer as well as many bird species. A wade into the strand was a highlight for our group and my personal thrill was seeing a cottonmouth feeding on a fish. I also enjoyed seeing the various tropical ferns, bromeliads and orchids growing in the wild. I highly recommend booking a tour and I hope to take my children and grandchildren soon.

After looking at the Everglades National Park visitors center right up the road we stopped here. Went into the small native American gift shop, then we headed out on the boardwalk. Almost immediately we saw a huge gator right on the path. Got great pics! Proceeded on and saw an eagle's nest, an owl, and gorgeous plants and trees. At end of boardwalk saw lots of water fowl and more gators in a swampy area. Well worth the stop. Less than an hour to go through.

Last minute visit that was recommended by the manatee cruise skipper. Within a few yards we saw an alligator just off the path in a pond. Eagles, owls, woodpeckers, herons & egrets all easily seen from the comfort of the boardwalk. So glad we stopped.

Half-mile long boardwalk in great condition. Quiet, lots of birds and nests, some alligators at the end of the trail. Easily accessible, right next to the highway. $3 voluntary contribution for upkeep.

I drove Janes Memorial Scenic Drive last week. As others have noted, the road is in poor condition. I too would not recommend driving it in a passenger car as the pot holes are pretty deep in places. However, work on the road was being done and there was a section completed that was fairly smooth. We also continued on through the Picayune Stand at the end of Janes Drive. It's not too bad if you take your time. We stayed on 100th Avenue to Miller Blvd. We then travelled north until we found Sabal Palm Road and took it to Highway 951. I was able to access Google Maps on my phone throughout the drive, making it easy to know where I was at all times. The drive took about three hours and was a terrific experience. I recommend it highly.

The boardwalk is approx. 3000 ft long and wends its way deep through the bush to a small pond where several varieties of wading birds were waiting for dinner and other birds hung out in the trees ( including a wood stork) This is a self guided walk and there are at least a dozen plaques along the trail pointing out various ferns, trees, and fauna. It's not always easy to find what the plaque is describing. There are great examples of huge cypress trees, strangler fig vines, and epiphytes along the way. Don't forget to look up! There is a bald eager nest ( no show yet) and a nesting great horn owl. We also saw a pileated woodpecker. I suspect there would be thousands of mosquitoes in the wet season but there weren't any when we went in Jan. It was fairly busy so there were lots of people at the pond's viewing platform which kind of ruined the "solitude". It was also a little difficult getting a parking spot from which you could get back on to the road safely! It's worth going if only to get a sense what "wild" Florida must have been like.

It is billed as the North American Amazon....and its lives upto its billing. It is worth the day trip or several trips if you are in the mood for an adventure.First stop by the ranger station and get some current info and facts.Second the "Scenic Drive" is very rough and if you do not stop at the Hiking Trams you will miss the experience. We walked several trams and the two stand out...the one closest to the station not very long but if venture past the improved trail you will see Bear and Deer signs.On one of the trams are some old sour orange trees that are great fun to come upon..The mud tram is worth the stop to get a sense of on truly wonderful and unique to North America this whole area is.

You were very fortunate to see so much wildlife on your recent trek. Best times for bird and critter sightings are early in the day and toward sunset.The Fakahatchee is a wilderness, which means there are insects, just as early Florida settlers encountered. You may have misspoken when you said the best time for a visit was in summer. That's the wet season here and many trails are underwater and mosquitos (called by some "swamp angels") are more prevalent. Participants in Fakahatchee swamp walks are constantly amazed at how bug-free the environment is when they leave the trails and begin wading through the slough.

We visited the boardwalk on our way back from a visit elsewhere. The walk begins with a path running alongside a small creek but soon changes to a boardwalk which takes you through a bald cypress and royal palm swamp. The day we visited there were not many visitors and the walk was shady and peaceful. There were several different species of birds to watch. The walk ends at a lovely pond where we saw a snake bird catching fish and an alligator lounging on a log in the sun. The place is well maintained and there are regular information boards to help you to identify the animals and plants you see.

Easy day trip from either coast. Do not waste your time on the beach... There is an enormous amount of wild Florida waiting for you. Get there when the sun just starts to show, the possibilities for unforgettable pictures are endless. Park and hike into the swamp. Take your time but know what you are doing... Have seen bear & Florida panther. On the loop road there are spots to see orchids you only see in Florida! Respect and take picture only. Yes there will be bugs, many of them, but its all worth it.

Heading from Naples to Miami side, we took a friends advice and stopped by here for to stretch out legs. After being greeted by an alligator on the way in, we took the boardwalk into the park. Nice distance, with lots of things to see. you need to be watchful along the way. Saw a baby alligator sunning on a down tree, saw some neat birds walking in the water, and saw a snake wrapped up and sunning on a branch as well. Not a long walk, but an interesting one, and worth the stop to stretch your legs.

great learning experience. Biologist was fantastic.A must do if you are interested in the environment.

Glad you enjoyed the boardwalk. About halfway along the boardwalk on the left, there's a viewing area for the pair of nesting eagles that return each year. And with water levels dropping, the gator pond at the end of the trail should soon be attracting its famous residents. And while the boardwalk closes at dusk, special Boardwalk After Dark tours are being offered this year on Feb. 2 and March 4.